It was a rough day.

It was a rough day.

I spent an hour on the phone with customer service for Comcast.

Mom and Dad live in Florida for the winter.

They suspend their tv/internet/phone services when they come home.

Somehow Daddy ended up with a bill for $563. 

I talked to a nice man last Friday for an hour, 

but he was unable to help me.

He told me I needed to request snowbird service.

After an hour and three customer service representatives,

I was told that their service had been disconnected in June.

They will need to return the Comcast equipment ~

remember they live in VA, right? ~

and their bill will be resolved.

Then they will need to start a new service plan 

with a new phone number.

I think Comcast was so unfeeling.

 

After that frustrating morning, I drove to Blacksburg to stay with Mom.

She and I met Daddy at Wendy's for lunch.

It was funny because Daddy said he was worried that Mom wasn't eating.

Mom then ate a baked potato, a hamburger, and drank her entire glass of tea!

Daddy left to play bridge and Mom and I hung out at Wendy's for awhile.

 When it was time to leave, Mom had trouble walking.

One lady offered to help, so I asked her if she would open the doors for us.

Then a man said he would walk along with us.

He walked on the other side of Mom while I supported her to the car.

People can be so kind.

 

Then I took Mom to Walmart. 

When we walked in the store (well, Mom rolled in her wheelchair), it was pretty dark.

They were having an electrical problem, and most of the lights were out.

But, it was so hard to get Mom in and out of the car and in the wheelchair that we were staying!

We looked at VaTech stuff, craft supplies, and clothes for Cate and William.

Best of all, a woman came up to  Mom and said, 

"You taught me in fifth grade!"

Mom has been retired for 24 years.

Wasn't it amazing that she remembered Mom?

 We came home and rested until Mom's doctor's appointment.

She needed to have her stitches removed.

http://grammygoodwill.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-please.html

It was quite an ordeal to get Mom in the wheelchair to my car, then in the car, then reverse

it all to get her into the office.

(Mom hasn't needed the wheelchair before this week.)

She seemed apprehensive about having the stitches come out 

and started crying. 

The doctor said they were the tiniest stitches he had ever seen.

He had a difficult time with them and 

Mom continued to cry and hyper-ventilate.

Her doctor, nurse, and I felt so bad for her.

 When we got home, Daddy was waiting and worried.

I made the mistake of telling him that Mom was scared.

Then he cried and Mom ~ who can't talk ~ tried to comfort him.

Then I cried.

It was a rough day.

*Surely you all know that I didn't take these pictures, except the one of my Dad. I took them from a Google page. I hope that is okay. 

What a difference a day makes.

First, let me thank you for the kind, encouraging comments you left on my earlier post about the frustration I was feeling with my dad. The thoughtful words you shared really warmed my heart. I will reread them when I need a lift.

I also need to explain that my dad does thank me a lot for the things I do for them. He actually makes me feel bad when he does because, of course, I'm going to be there for them. It was just that particular day, when I had tried to do the things he asked me, and he seemed unappreciative.

I spent Wednesday with them, and we were able to get a lot done. First, I stopped at their doctor's office to leave yummy cupcakes to bribe thank them for being so nice when I call them repeatedly. (I wish I had taken a picture. Just imagine icing as tall as the cake part and you'll have a good mental image.) Next up was Walmart to pick up the prescription that had eluded my dad. Guess what? The pharmacist said there was a problem, but he would check on it for me. (It had been sent to the Walmart in Florida! That was the big problem. But it's all fixed now.)

I went by the house to check ALL the prescriptions and found Mom was there with the housekeeper. So, I took her with me to meet Dad at McDonalds. They "belong" to one of those groups of senior citizens who meet every morning. I know you've seen them where you live. I think there is a group in every fast food place in America. Unfortunately, the friend Dad wanted the kangaroo for wasn't there that morning.

Dad left early for a test at the hospital, but Mom and I stayed from 10-12. (It's so hard for me to just sit, but it's how they spend their mornings.) Their friends are very nice people and treat Mom and Dad so well. Since Mom had a stroke, it's been hard to keep up with friends. Mom can't communicate (aphasia), making it difficult for them to do the things they were used to doing.

When we got home, we were surprised to find Dad waiting on us. The bone scan he was scheduled to have at 12:30 involved having "dye" injected into his arm, then going back to the hospital at 2:30. He teased us by saying he was radioactive and not to get too close.

After he left for the second part of the scan, this wonderful young lady arrived. Dad arranged for her to come to the house every month to give Mom a manicure and pedicure. (It's too difficult for Mom to climb in the pedicure chair.) This is just one example of how Dad looks after Mom and her needs.

Debbie (the wonderful young lady) was so surprised at how alert Mom was. Mom just kept laughing and (trying to) talk to her. Debbie even said Mom could lift her leg (that is paralyzed from her stroke) higher than she had ever seen her do.

This picture looks like Mom is sneezing, but she is really laughing at Debbie. She has such a great personality and carries on with Mom while she's there. She had just told Mom that now it was her turn to give Debbie a pedicure.

(I see two possible blog posts in this picture: the cane I decorated for Mom and Dad's phone for the hearing impaired.)

I'm glad we had such a great day together.

I hope you have a wonderful day today with your loved ones.

Love Endures

(My computer has a virus,  and it's operating on minimum capacity. I can't add any pictures.)





My love story for Valentine's Day is not my own. This is my parents' love story.

They met at a small Methodist college in WV. My dad said he saw her at a party, and it was love at first sight. I think it took some convincing for my mom.

Dad's proposal was very romantic. Marry me now or never. Mom said she was afraid he meant it, so she agreed to "now" and they eloped. The year was 1947.

Time passed. Three children ~ house, dog, cat ~ graduations ~ weddings ~ grandchildren. (My niece reminded me that I forgot the almost 11 great-grandchildren. We're still waiting for my grandson to arrive. He was due February 12.)

Then, in the 80's, my dad had Guillain Barre Syndrome. It was a very frightening time. As the disease progressed, my dad became completely paralyzed. (If you want to read more about this, here's a link.)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001704/
It was a horrible time, but Mom stayed with Dad the 5 months he was in the hospital. She slept on one of those hospital cots and ate the same hospital food. (She took a leave of absence from teaching.)

Love endured. Dad recovered.

 

In 1997, Daddy wanted them to renew their wedding vows and give Mom the wedding she never had. As I was trying to choose the invitations, I still remember him saying, "I want something fancy." The minister made their vow renewal part of the church service that day and preached on love. Dad walked Mom down the aisle in front of our family and the congregation.

More time passed. Their seven grandchildren have given them almost 11 great-grandchildren. (My niece reminded me that I forgot to mention them. We're still waiting for my grandson to arrive. He was due February 12.)

 

In 2002, Mom needed an aortic valve replacement. Before she had the surgery, she showed Dad how to run the dishwasher and the washing machine. (She had always taken care of him.)



Three weeks after the surgery, Mom had a massive stroke. She lost the ability to read and communicate, even how to swallow. She was paralyzed on one side. Life changed again. Now it was Dad's turn to take care of Mom. For nine years, he has done that. Along with the household duties (he has since hired a part-time housekeeper), he is Mom's sole caretaker. He helped her learn to eat with her other hand. He exercises her arm to keep it flexible. He bathes her and dresses her daily.


But more than that, he is always thinking of things to help her. For several years, he took her to FL for experimental treatments. He worries about how she looks, much more than Mom ever did. He takes her for manicures and pedicures - which she had never done before the stroke - as well as her weekly hair appointment. He worked for several years, trying to teach her how to read again. (Life is sad. My Mom taught school for 30 years and has two degrees, yet she can no longer read a book.) He has routines to help her stay engaged. The list goes on and on.


When she gets upset at all he has to do, he tells her ~ You took care of me, now it's my turn to take care of you. Love endures.


When I stay with them, I hear him at night when they go to bed. He prays
for both of them when he prays:

Now we lay us down to sleep.

We pray thee, Lord, our souls to take.

If we should die before we wake,

We pray thee, Lord, ours souls to take.

I wish for all of you a love that endures.

 

I'm sharing here:
http://www.thetrunkblog.com/2012/02/love-story-linkup.html
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2012/02/tuesdays-treasures_14.html